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MP’s UPDATE AUGUST 2020
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I provide regular updates on my work.
You can find previous reports of my work on my web site; www.ruthcadbury.co.uk I also report regularly on my Facebook page and via Twitter and Instagram @RuthCadbury. You can see full details of my questions and speeches in Parliament, and get Regular updates about my Parliamentary activities on TheyWorkForYou in Hansard and on YouTube
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See my special Coronavirus Web-page for information on
local and national services, help-lines and volunteering;
and to sign up for Hounslow Council’s daily updates.
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We have now had four months of upheaval and uncertainty and some have had far worse; long-term illness, bereavement, loss of income. We had all hoped that by now the UK would be on top of the virus, but it appears infection rates are still too high, and local outbreaks mean that life cannot get back to even semi-normal. I continue to be concerned that the Government is lurching from one set of dithering decisions to another, without having any clear strategy for responding and recovering. Although Parliament is in recess until September 1st, my team and I continue to respond to local issues whether connected to the pandemic, or not. Meanwhile I do hope readers are enjoying the sun while it lasts!
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THE TRADE BILL had its final debate and votes – an essential piece of legislation that seeks to define our trade relationship before Brexit.
I had a very large postbag from constituents, rightly concerned about many aspects of the Bill. I spoke in the debate about the lack of Parliamentary oversight allowed for in the Bill, about the risk of Investor State Dispute Settlements (ISDS) being used to weaken environmental and other protections. I was the only MP to address concerns about vehicle safety standards; important because the US has lower safety thresholds for both vehicle occupants and pedestrians/cyclists than the EU (remember bull-bars that are now outlawed in the EU?) A US trade deal covering vehicles could result in a lowering of our road safety record. As I didn’t get a response from the Minister in the Chamber, I have written to him.
FREE TRAVEL FOR UNDER 18s IN LONDON
Following outrage from young people over the Government’s requirement for TfL to remove free travel for Under 18’s, I sponsored an Adjournment debate, which a large number of colleagues joined me in. The removal of free travel for all Under 18s in London was a condition forced on the Mayor of London as the only binding condition to the Covid financial deal to help Tranpsort for London. However, removing this universal concession will not save much money or cut demand for travel. The Government clearly had not costed the administration of ensuring the 30% of young Londoners who are eligible for free travel under national rules get that concession , and of course many other families will be unable to afford the fares.
FUNDING FOR THE ARTS AND CREATIVE SECTORS I raised with the Arts Minister the issue of inadequate levels of funding to community arts venues such as Watermans Arts Centre. Although grants have finally been forthcoming, they are far less than is needed so many local venues, arts events and jobs remain at risk.
WINDRUSH VICTORY After taking up her case with the Home Office, one of my constituents has finally received compensation for the losses she suffered when the Government illegally withdrew her right to live in the UK after being here for many decades. Two years from being set up, too few of the victims have seen a penny in compensation from the schem, including more of my constituents, who I will keep fighting for.
LOST COVID TESTS Having taken a Covid test in mid June for which I never received the result, I asked a written question about lost tests. The answer showed that the Government and Public Health England are not keeping records of lost tests, which means they cannot calculate the infection rate accurately. Truly shocking!
ENERGY EFFICIENT HOMES It’s good to report that Hounslow’s new Council homes will be fitted with zero emission heating systems, not gas boilers. On the urging of community group Brentford Voice, I asked the Planning Minister to ensure the Planning Reforms include a requirement that all new homes should have low or zero emission. Now that the White Paper on planning reforms has been published, I am concerned to see the Government is deeply unambitious on zero carbon for new developments, not to mention reigning back on affordable housing and community needs.
THE EXCLUDED: So many of my constituents have been excluded from the Government Covid support schemes for self-employed support or job retention schemes due to the nature of their working arrangements, or the timing of when they set up their business. On their behalf I wrote to Chancellor Rishi Sunak again to ask that they be covered. I also asked that the job retention scheme be extended beyond October for those sectors that cannot recover early. I’m still awaiting an adequate response.
BA STAFF & HEATHROW – Aviation was one of the first sectors to be hit by the pandemic and will be one of the last to recover. Hounslow is perhaps the worst affected local authority area with up to 1 in 3 households affected. Now that the furlough scheme is coming to an end, staff working for British Airways, Heathrow Airport and other employers are now being told they are to be made redundant, and with derisory terms. I have supported actions by Unite and the GMB unions to highlight the human impact of these job losses, and urged Government to address the impact this is having not only on those directly affected, but also on our local economy and community.
During July I also:
- spoke against the Government’s decision to abolish the Department for International Development; saying how UK aid, when not tied to Foreign Policy objectives, plays a life-changing role to people in the countries where it is spent
- took part in the eScooters Inquiry – As a member of the Transport Select Committee scrutinising the Government’s trial of rental schemes for eScooters (which currently are not legally allowed on UK public highways).
- took part in a Times Radio programme on Electoral Reform (which I support)
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COMMUNITY UPDATE
OSTERLEY HOMEBASE/TESCO SITES PLANNING APPLICATION: Along with resident associations and councillors I attended a presentation on the expected planning applications to Hounslow from Berkeley Homes. The outline plans are for over 2,000 new homes, a new Tesco and some open spaces. It will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the Osterley area. It will take some time before the Council will formally consider the proposals but current information can be found on the Osterley & Wyke Green Residents Association and Berkeley Homes sites.
NEWS OF LOCAL MARKETS: Brentford Market returns on the 9th August (then every Sunday 10am-2pm) and a new Flower Market in Chiswick will be launched on 6th September. This is a community initiative to support Chiswick’s local shops and other businesses and will be held every first Sunday by Chiswick Police Station.
BRENTFORD FC Like so many local people, I was gutted that Brentford didn’t make the Premier League for their first season at the new Lionel Road stadium. It would have brought around £170m to the club. However, their performance over this last season shows they’re nationally recognised as a club to watch, and I am sure their performance will mean more season ticket sales and much needed income for the club. In due course Griffin Park, where they’ve been since 1904, will be redeveloped for low-rise housing, the sale of which helps to fund the building of the new stadium.
LBH MEETINGS I continue to have regular meetings with the leadership of Hounslow Council. Kelly O’Neil, Hounslow’s fantastic Director of Public Health, is now finally getting detailed information about those infected from the national Track & Trace programme. This should have been provided from the start, as without this ,she cannot identify who is likely to be at risk of infection or of spreading Covid19. Council staff are being deployed from other duties to support her – to act as local track and trace specialists.
ROYAL MAIL SORTING OFFICES
We have been told that when the Brentford & Isleworth Sorting & Delivery office closes, its sorting function will be transferred to the Jubilee Mail Centre on the far side of Hounslow town. But as Jubilee has no public access, residents will be expected to pick up parcels and signed-for mail at the Hounslow Town Centre office just behind the High Street. I have written to Royal Mail expressing my concern that mail could take longer to be transferred between the two sites, and also that the Hounslow office is difficult to get to for many residents. Meanwhile in Chiswick, the future of the Sorting Office, and the main post office on the same site in Heathfield Terrace, also remain uncertain.
BRENTFORD PLANT SWAP & SALE
Local Community organisation Brentford Voice raised an impressive £680 for Hounslow Community FoodBox at this event. I dropped off some excess lettuce plants and picked up a fennel plant and some plants and a garden rake.
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AFTER FOUR LONG MONTHS OF LOCKDOWN the need for help and support for vulnerable people has increased, so if you have time, or money, please do support your local community.
If you can volunteer please do; with your local Covid19 Mutual Aid Group, or Hounslow Volunteering Centre to help a Hounslow community organisation.
If you can spare money to hard-pressed charities – then please do that too. Many vital charities may not survive the loss of income as normal charitable giving collapses. And now there will be the exponential growth in demand for some such as foodbanks, advice and information services and domestic violence charities.
Here are some local ones: Hounslow Community Foodbox Ivybridge Foodbank (run by All Souls Church, St Margaret’s), Ague Hounslow, and Hounslow Open Kitchen
If you can – please give generously of your time or your money!!
You can get daily updates about national and local information and services from Hounslow Council here
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Printed from an email sent by Ruth Cadbury MP
London, LON W4 4AG
United Kingdom